Ashtray

ABSTRACT

THE ASHTRAY OF THIS INVENTION RECEIVES REFUSE SUCH AS TOBACCO ASHES AND CIGARETTE STUBS IN AN OPEN RECEPTACLE AND REMOVES SUCH REFUSE TO A COLLECTION BIN IN THE ASHTRAY. THE REFUSE IS DEPOSITED ON A CONVEYOR IN THE ASHTRAY FOR DELIVERY TO AND TEMPORARY STORAGE IN A COLLECTION BIN. DISPOSAL TO THE COLLECTION BIN IS CONTROLLED BY AN ACTUATING DEVICE MADE AVAILABLE TO THE ASHTRAY USER. THE COLLECTION BIN IS REMOVABLE FROM THE ASHTRAY HOUSING TO PROVIDE FOR DISCARDING THE REFUSE. DURING THE DISPOSAL OPERATION A CLEVER ENGAGES AND CLEANS THE ASH RECEIVING CONVEYOR.

Sept. 20, 1971 A, GlNSBERG 3,606,144

ASHTRAY Filed Sept. 24, 1968 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 ll E.

. INVENTOR.

flew/e GPwsaaee r A. GINSBERG Sept. 20, 1971 ASHTRAY 2 Sheets-Shoot 2 M y H v0 Mo U P M m a V N. A

5 R O E m a w E s V v w A W G v VN w //vv////vvvv m P w w m .f wwiwj l A .HH HI f United States Patent 3,606,144 ASHTRAY Arthur Ginsberg, Westbrook, N.Y., assignor to Royal London, Ltd., New York, N.Y. Filed Sept. 24, 1968, Ser. No. 762,079 Int. Cl. A24f 19/08 US. Cl. 232-432 7 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE The ashtray of this invention receives refuse such as tobacco ashes and cigarette stubs in an open receptacle and removes such refuse to a collection bin in the ashtray. The refuse is deposited on a conveyor in the ashtray for delivery to and temporary storage in a collection bin. Disposal to the collection bin is controlled by an actuating device made available to the ashtray user. The collection bin is removable from the ashtray housing to provide for discarding the refuse. During the disposal operation a cleaver engages and cleans the ash receiving conveyor.

In normal usage, an ashtray serves both as a receptacle for receiving tobacco ashes and as a convenient resting place for lighted cigarettes, cigars, or pipes. As smoking continues the ashtray serves the additional purpose of storing the ashes and stubs of previously smoked cigarettes or cigars. Such ashes and stubs are left to accumulate in the ashtray where they become unsightly and where they diminish the usefulness of the ashtray as a temporary resting place for lighted cigarettes.

When it becomes necessary to empty the ashtray, it is taken out of service temporarily for disposal of the accumulated ashes and stubs and for cleaning. In such situations, another ashtray must be placed in service if the smoker is not to be temporarily deprived of an ashtray.

In normal ashtray use, the accumulated stubs are likely to come into contact with lighted cigarettes or hot ashes and, consequently, care must be taken to prevent trash fires when disposing of the accumulated stubs.

The present invention overcomes the foregoing disadvantages and provides an ashtray for receiving and disposing of ashes and stubs in a manner most convenient for a smoker. The ashtray provides for immediate disposal of refuse so to return the ash receiving receptacle to use for receiving tobacco ashes and for serving as a convenient resting place for lighted cigarettes or cigars. The ashtray is in continuous service Without accumulating ashes or stubs in the ash receiving receptacle.

In the ashtray according to the present invention, the accumulated ashes are delivered by a movable conveyor to a collection bin within the ashtray housing. In the collection bin, smouldering ashes are out of contact with lighted cigarettes or cigars and, therefore, have an opportunity to become extinguished and cool. The collection bin is removable for final discarding of the tobacco ashes and stubs. Consequently, it is not necessary to take the ashtray out of service for emptying and/ or cleaning. The ash and stub receiving surface of the ashtray is cleaned during the conveyor disposal operation so that the smoker is provided with a clean and presentable ashtray for immediate use.

An object of the present invention is to provide an ashtray for receiving and disposing of ashes and stubs and for keeping the ash receiving receptacle in a clean condition and uncluttered with previously smoked cigarette stubs and ashes.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an ashtray wherein the tobacco ashes and stubs are disposed to a temporary collection bin which may be re- 3,606,144 Patented Sept. 20, 1971 moved periodically for disposing of its contents without taking the ashtray out of service.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an ashtray with means for periodically cleaning the surface of the ash receiving receptacle.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an ashtray which separates used stubs and ashes from contact with lighted cigarettes, therefore, promoting safety in disposing of the ashes and cigarette stubs.

Other and further objects of the present invention 'will be apparent from an understanding of the illustrative embodiment about to be described or will be understood upon employment of the invention in practice.

A preferred embodiment of the invention has been chosen for purposes of illustration and description of the invention and is shown in the accompanying drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an ashtray constructed according to the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a section view taken along line 2-2 of the ashtray of FIG. 1;

ice

FIG. 3 is a section view taken along line 3-3 of FIG. 2.

Referring to the drawings, the ashtray 10 includes a housing 12 having a top wall 14, front and rear walls 16, 18, opposed side walls 20, 22, and a bottom wall 24. The housing may be of any suitable configuration and typically each of the walls 14-24 of the housing is of a rectangular configuration. The top wall 14 opens to the interior of the housing to define a receptacle 26 for receiving the ashes, cigarette stubs and other refuse which normally accumulates during the course of using tobacco. The receptacle 26 is defined by a wall member 28 having front 30 and rear 32 panels and side panels 34, 36 which extend vertically downwardly from the top wall into the receptacle. The wall member also includes a peripheral rim 38 which is integral with the wall panels. The rim portion rests on the top wall 14 of the housing and may include the usual recesses 40 for holding cigarettes. The wall member 28 may be integral with the ashtray housing, but preferably the wall member is a separate unit which is inserted into the ashtray housing.

The front panel 30 of the wall member is fitted with a door 42 to allow the ashes, etc. to pass out of the receptacle. The door extends substantially the full width of the housing and is mounted at the housing side walls by a pair of spaced pivot pins 44. The pins are suitably journaled within the side wall portions of the housing. The door includes a central tab 46 by which the door is pivoted as shown in FIG. 2.

The ash receptacle further includes an ash receiving surface comprising a conveyor 50 made of fiberglass. The conveyor 50 is mounted over a pair of spaced rollers 52, 54. Preferably, the upper surface of the conveyor is of sufficient length to extend beyond the marginal edge portions 34, 36 of the ash receiving receptacle. This is shown in FIG. 3.

Each of the rollers 52, 54 is mounted by suitable shafts 56, 58 in the side walls of the housing. Both of the rollers 52, 54 are rotatable about their central axes and conveniently, a motor and gear arrangement 60 (FIG. 2) is provided for turning the roller and conveyor system. A separate chamber 62 within the housing provides a convenient point for a storage battery 64 which is used to energize the conveyor motor 60. If desired, the upper run of the conveyor may be supported intermediate the roller members to provide additional strength for the bottom of ash receiving receptacle. Such support means not shown could be mounted at the side walls of the housing. If desired, a suitable spring mounted tension roll 66 may be provided for retaining the conveyor in a taut condition. Such tension roll 66 may conveniently be mounted at 67 on a support arm 68 which is pivotally secured to a support shaft 70. The support shaft in turn is mounted between the side Walls 20, 22 of the ashtray housing.

A storage bin 72 for receiving the ashes 74 from the conveyor 50 is located within the housing at a point underneath one end of the conveyor.

Accordingly, the ash receiving bin 72 is preferably a separate drawer which is slidably inserted into the ashtray housing. The drawer is of sufiicient capacity to receive an accumulation of ashes and cigarette stubs 74. The drawer includes a convenient handle 76 for removing the drawer to dispose of ashes.

Preferably, a brush 78 is mounted at one end of the slidable drawer in contact with the lower run of the movable conveyor 50. As the conveyor is moved the brush serves to clean the conveyor surface of whatever ashes may adhere thereto. The brushing action is such that the ashes dislodged from the conveyor will fall into the ash receiving drawer 72.

The ashtray is provided with a control panel 80 for operating the ashtray. The control panel comprises a spring loaded push button 82 which mades suitable electric contact when depressed for starting the conveyor motor 60. The depressed push button completes a circuit (not shown) between the battery 64 and the conveyor motor 60. In addition, the push button includes a cam surface 84 which cooperates with a spring loaded finger 86 to tilt the front panel door 42 of the receptacle into an inclined position to allow for passage of the ashes 74 into the storage drawer 72. The action of the spring loaded finger 86 is shown in broken lines in FIG. 2. The spring loaded finger is mounted in a slidable plate 88 which is supported by a suitable base plate 90 and tabs 91 mounted on the ashtray housing. A spring 92 which is attached at one end to the ashtray housing urges the tilting finger into its inoperative (Solid line) position in FIG. 2. When released, the button returns to its upper position and the tilting finger is retracted.

For convenience, the operation of the ashtray will now be reviewed. When the push button 82 is depressed electric contact is made for supplying power to the conveyor motor 60. This action starts the conveyor 50 in motion for delivery of ashes 74 to the storage drawer 72. Simultaneously with the movement of the conveyor, the tilting finger 86 moves the receptacle door 42 into its inclined position to allow for passage of the ashes on the conveyor to the storage drawer. As the conveyor moves, bristles 7 8 on the brush provide a cleaning action for the conveyor surface 50, knocking any trapped ashes into the storage bin. The tension roll 66 may also serve as a buffer for a secondary cleaning action for the conveyor surface. When the push button 82 is released, the conveyor 50 comes to rest and the spring 92 returns the tilting finger to its inactive position so that the door 42 returns to its closed position.

What is claimed is:

1. An ashtray comprising a housing, a receptacle in said housing, a plurality of wall panels surrounding said receptacle, a moving belt conveyor defining the bottom member of the receptacle, a storage bin, battery driven motor means for moving the conveyor to deliver ashes from the conveyor to the storage bin, an actuating member connected to said motor means for actuating the conveyor, said storage bin being removable from the housing to provide for final disposal of the debris and means for cleaning the conveyor surface.

2. The ashtray as defined in claim 1 which further includes a unitary insert comprising said wall members and having an integral peripheral rim.

3. An ashtray comprising a housing, a receptacle in said housing, a plurality of wall panels surrounding said receptacle, a conveyor defining the bottom member of the receptacle, a storage bin, means for moving the conveyor to deliver ashes from the conveyor to the storage bin, said storage bin being removable from the housing to provide for final disposal of the debris and means for cleaning the conveyor surface and wherein one of the wall members is movable to provide for movement of the ashes from the receptacle to the storage bin and which further includes a button for actuating the moving conveyor wherein said button moves a cam surface and a tilting finger cooperating with said cam surface for moving said movable wall member.

4. An ashtray comprising a housing, a receptacle in said housing, a plurality of wall panels surrounding said receptacle, a conveyor defining the bottom member of the receptacle, a storage bin, battery driven motor means for moving the conveyor to deliver ashes from the conveyor to the storage bin, an actuating member connected to said motor means for actuating the conveyor, one of said wall panels being movable to allow for passages of the ashes from the receptacle, and means for moving said wall panel.

5. The ashtray as defined in claim 4 which further includes a single push button for actuating the conveyor moving means and the wall panel moving means.

6. An ashtray comprising a housing, a receptacle in the housing for receiving ashes, a movable conveyor cooperating with said receptacle for receiving and for moving the ashes from the receptacle to a storage bin, a motor for moving the conveyor, a door in said receptacle being openable to allow for passage of the ashes out ofthe receptacle, a push button for actuating said conveyor motor, the push button having a cam surface, a slidable plate cooperating with said earn surface to slide when said button is actuated, a finger mounted at one end of said slidable plate for tilting the receptacle door to an open position while the ash conveyor is in motion.

7. The ashtray of claim 6 which further includes means for cleaning the conveyor surface.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 453,824 6/1891 With 232-56 1,554,660 9/1925 Ruskay 220-205 1,912,598 6/1933 Snadden 232-431 2,426,511 8/1947 La Pointe 232-432 2,53 6,078 1/ 1951 Osborne 220-205 2,771,885 11/1956 Walker 232-432 2,887,204 5/1959 Giuliano 232-432 2,905,354 9/1959 Ericson 232-43.l 3,095,108 6/1963 McKenzie 232-1X 3,321,130 5/1967 Cleghorn 232-432 FRANCIS K. ZUGEL, Primary Examiner US. Cl. X.R. 232-1 

